Pressing machine



Sept. 11, 1928.

G. w. JOHNSQN PRESSING MACHINE Filed Oct. 9, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 'INVENTOR 1 AT RNEYJ' Sept. 11, 1928. 7 1,683,897

' G. w. JOHNSON PRESSING MAcH INB Filed Oct. 1925 s sheets-sheet 2 46 J3 Z9 I I gi j XL; 1:; {I V it 39- a G1 a if m jg I W/ lllll I Y 1 B I A TO EYIS sept. 11, 1928.

- h G. w. JOHNSON PRESSING MACHINE Filed Oct. 1925 INVENTOR 7 BY '7" W A xl' AT%RNEYJ Patented Sept. 11, 1928.

PATENT OFFICE.

anon-GE w. JOHNSON, ornonwoon, OHIO, AssIGNon TO THE AMERICAN LAUNDRY MACHINERY COMPANY, OF NORWOOD,

OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO..

PRESSING MACHINE.

. Application filed October This invention relates to powerpressing machines, such as are used for pressing outer garments or laundered wearing apparel, and more particularly to that type of machine in Which the pressing members are actuated by ower means both to close the press and produce power pressure effect upon the work.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine of this kind provided with improved mechanism between the prime mover ressing head, such mechanism being of a orm capable of being disabled or rendered inefiective and being so arranged that under normal conditions or when there is no liability of injury to the operator and the movement of the head is not abnormally obstructed) the operating mechanism is not disabled, but becomes completely effective to both close the press and apply.power pressure, whereas, under ab; normal conditions either dangerous or due to abnormal obstruction to the movement of and the movable the head, said mechanism is disabled to thereby not only limit the actual pressure which may be applied to the. bed or any article or object thereon, but in addition the mechanism is rendered ineffective to transmit the final or power pressure to the head.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide improved mechanismof this kind in which the disabling is effected by preventing eflective coupling between the main toggle members to and through which power is applied for the purpose of. producing'the final pressure'eflect, the disabling condition occurring according to whether or not the pressing members are permitted or revented from being closed to the limit 0 the safe zone. A further object of the invention is to provide a power press closed by power mechanism followed by the application of full power pressure and arranged so that under abnormal conditions the nism is disabled to the extent that it is pre-- vented from transmitting power pressure to the head, but nevertheless is permitted to function to continue the movement of the press operating mechanism beyond its normal extent to restore the parts to normal condition.

A further object of the invention is to provide a garment press operated by a reversible prime mover such as a reversible operating mecha- 7 9,1925. Serial No. 61,502.

motor, which normally operates the parts forwardly to close the press and apply pres- ,sure and reversely to open the press, but in which under abnormal conditions the forward or closing and pressure operation is continued by additional operation of the prime mover in the forward direction, but without the application of power pressure to the head, to restore the parts to normal condition.

Further objects of the invention are in part obvious and in part will appear more in detail hereinafter.

In the drawings, which represent one suitable embodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 represents a side elevation of the machine in full open position, part of the driving mechanism being shown in section on the line 1''1, Fig. 4; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the operating mechanism on the line 22, Fig. 4, the full lines representing the press in open position; Fig. 3 is an electric diagram; Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view on approximately the line 44., Fig. 5; Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation on approximately the line 55, Fig. 4 and showing the oper ating parts in a different position from Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a detail sectional elevation,

showing the pressure limit switch and its 1 operating mechanism; Fi 7 is a detail sec-' The press shown comprises a frame lon the pedestal of which is located a garment support or'pressing bed 2 cooperating with an upper pressing'member or head 3 on a swinging lever 4 fulcrumed at 5 on a support 6 of the frame 1. The head is moved toward and from the bed by operating said lever, the rear arm 7 of which is pivoted to the upper one of two toggle. members marked generally 8, 9, of which member 9 is pivoted at 10 to the rear arm of a power lever 11 pivoted at 12 in the frame and having a cam plate 13 on its' forward arm.

Toggle member 8 is in the form of a rod jointed to the lower toggle member 9, as will appear, and carrying an adjustable nut A 15 forming a collar serving as an adjustable abutment to vary the compression of a relatively strong spring 16, the upper end of which bears against a swivel block 17 pivotally mounted on the pins 18 in the rear arm of the head lever and through which the rod 8 slides. As shown in Fig. 6, the swivel block 17 supports a bracket 19 on which is the quick or snap acting single pole, double throw switch, marked generally 20, and an arm or lever 21. which is connected to a head 22 on the rod 8 for operation thereby. v

The head lever 7 is also provided with an abutment or shoulder 23 adapted when the press is open'to engage a roller 24 on a lever 25 pivoted to a stationary portion of the frame and normally held in the full line position, Fig. 9, by a tension spring 26. Said lever is pivotally connected to a lever 27 of a single pole, double throw snap switch marked generally 28, of the same form as the switch shown in Fig. 6, said switch being mounted upon a bracket 28 on the stationary frame. The lower toggle member includes the rod 9 pivoted'to the pin 10, as stated, and around which rod is coiled a rather light compression spring 29 abutting an adjustable tension adjusting collar 30 at one end and at its opposite end abutting a knuckle block 31 sliding on said rod in an opening which is laterally extended as shown in Fig. 2 to permit lateralmotion of the rod 9 in said opening, the rod being normally held in the osition shown in Fig. 2 by a spring 32. T e upper toggle member 8 is jointed or knuckled to the block 31 at 33, the clevis at the lower end of rod 8 being provided with a hardened wear plate 34 in which is a recess 35 to cooperate with the toe 36 at the upper end of rod 9.

The operating mechanism for the toggle members includes'a connecting rod 37 pivoted to the knuckle 33 at one end and at its opposite end pivoted at 38 to a crank 39 on a shaft 40 suitably journalled in the frame and at one end extending into a gear casing 41 where it is provided with a worm wheel 42 driven by a worm 43 on a shaft 44 connected by a universal coupling 45 (Fig. 8) to the shaft of a suitable prime mover, such as the electric motor 46. The motor shaft is provided with a brake drum 47 forming part of said coupling and cooperating with a brake band 48 fixed at one end to a stationary part, as at 49, and at its opposite end connected to a rod 50 provided with a collar 51 forming an abutment for the compression spring 52 which always tends to tighten the brake band around the drum. The brake is released by energization of an electro-tnagnet coil 53, the armature 54 of which has an extension 55 carrying an adjustable abutment screw 56 lying opposite the end of the rod 50.

On the crank shaft 40 is located a crank or arm 57 having an anti-friction member, such as the roller 58, adapted to cooperate with the cam plate 13, before referred to, said cam plate having an engaging portion 59, a seat portion 60, and an inclined tail or extension 61. Also located upon the crank shaft 40 is an insulating drum 62 provided with two bridged conducting segments G3, (34 having gaps 65 side by side therein and which segments cooperate with two contacts 66, 67, the drum segments and contacts together forming an emergency switch, marked generally 68, for a purpose which will later appear.

The operation is as follows:

Let us assume that the press is wide open as shown in Fig. 1. To close the press the operator depresses a pressure button 69, Fig. 3, suitably located on the frame, thereby closing a circuit from L through button 69, coil and the now closed pressure limit and emergency switches 20 and 68 to L Energization of coil 70 of the relay actuates its pole and opens the normally closed contacts 71 and closes the normally open contacts 72, 73, the latter two contacts 73 completing a maintaining circuit from L through contacts 72, 73 and coil 70 so that coil is maintained energized after the finger is taken from button 69. Closing of con tacts 72 also completes a circuit from L through said contacts and wire 74 through the motor armature and the brake release coil 53 and thence'by t-he normally closed contacts 75 of the reverse relay 78 and wire 76 to L The motor thereupon starts to turn in the forward direction moving the crank' 39 and arm 57 first from the full line position, Fig.2, to the position marked A, in which position under normal conditions or when there is no obstruction to movement of the head, such as by the operators hand or arm being between the pressing members, the toe 36 of rod 9 lies beneath or registers with the recess 35 in the wear plate.

on the upper toggle member, and in which position also roller 58 has reached the engaging portion 59 of the cam plate 13. Because there is no obstruction to movement of the head the operating parts are now in position for a full and complete power pressure operation. Crank shaft 40 therefore continues to be rotated by the motor, moving the parts to position B, in which position roller 58 has reached the seat portion 60 of the cam plate and by the cam action of the roller along said plate has depressed lever 11 to to the dot dash position, Fig. 2. This second stage of the closing and pressure half cycle, when the parts move from position A to position B, results in completing the straightening movement of the upper toggles 8, 9 and of simultaneously entering the toe 36 into the recess 35 and elevat- 16 to the head lever and to the work upon the bed. During the power pressure the compression of spring 16 permlts the rod 8 to rise and slide upwardly through the swivel block 17 so that when power pressure has been completed to an amount determined in value by the adjustment of the abutment nut 15, the head 22 on the upper end of rod 8 reaches the full line position, Fig. 6, and through, the lever 21 actuates the pressure limit switch 20 and opens the maintaining circuit through coil before referred to. Consequently the pole of the relay moves to its original position, opening contacts 72 and thereby deenergizing the circuit through the motor armature and through the brake coil 53. The motor thereupon stops with all parts at rest in position B, Fig. 2, where they are permitted to remain for so l ng a period as the operator desires pressure 'to be applied to the work,

To open the press the operator depresses the pressure release button 77, which energizes a circuit through said button and the coil 78 of the reverse relay and thence through'the now closed opening limit switch 28 and by wire 76 to L Energization of the relay coil7 8 opens the normall closed contacts and closes the normal y open contacts 79, 80, thereby completing a maintain-.

ing circuit for the relay coil and also completing a circuit from L by contacts, 79 to wire 81 and thence through the brake release coil 53 and the motor armature and by way of the now normally closed contacts 71 to L The flow of current through the motor is reversed so that the motor resumes rotation, but in the reverse direction, moving the parts successively backwardly from position B through position A to the full line position, Fig. 2, 111 which position the press is fully open. Durin o ening movement the rear arm of the ea lever engages the roller 24, Fig; 9, moving lever 25 from the full line position to the dotdash line position and thereby opening the open limit switch 28, which de-energizes the circuit through the reverse relay coil 78 and permits'contacts 79 and 80 to open and contacts 75 to close. The efl'ect is to deenergize the circuit through the brake release coil 53 and motor armature and bring the parts to rest' in open position.

The foregoing describesa complete cycle of closing, pressure and release operations under normal conditions. However, the-operation is different when full downward motion of the head is obstructed, such as by the presence of the operators hand or arm in a dangerous position between the pressing members. Under such circumstances, when the pressure button 69 is depressed and a closing and pressure operation is initiated, the parts move fromthe full line position, Fig. 2, first to the full line position, Fig. 5, where it may be assumed that an obstacle between the pressing members has been engaged. The pressure of the connectin rod upon the toggle members, of course, eeps the pin 10 at the bottom'of vertical slots 90 in the frame. Consequently further motion of the parts from the full line position, Fig. 5, to the position marked C, where the roller 58 first engages the cam plate of lever 11 will compress the spring 29, which is adjusted by its collar 30 to a strength such that it will be compressed without either dangerous pressure upon the operatorshand or arm or any downward movement of the head beyond the obstruction which it has encountered.

The eifect is to cause the knuckle block 31 to slide downwardly upon the lower; toggle rod 9 and cause the toe 36 at the upper end of rod 9 to rise above and at one side of its seat or recess 35 in the wear plate 34. Therefore, when the parts reach position C, before referred to, the toe 36 cannot enter or register with the recess 35. As a consequence the additional movement of the parts from position C to position 1) where the lever 11 has been depressed by roller 58 merely produces addi- 4 tional upward sliding motlon. of rod 9 through the block-31 and Without the production of a power pressure effect upon the head. This operation is permitted due to the ability of. the rod 9to move laterally in the recess in the block 31, as shown in Fig. 2. When the parts have reached position D, Fig. 5, which corresponds to what would be full power pressure position, it is clearthat no material compression of spring 16 has been produced, because the pressure valve of said spring is largely in excess of that of spring 29, and as a resultno upward motion .ofthe rod 8 occurs in the swivel block 17 and the pressure limit switch is'iiot opened,

as happens under normal operation. The motor therefore continues to. rotate and crank shaft 40 carries the crank and the arm 57 in the counter-clockwisedirection practically back to their original positions in full open position of the press. The tail or extension 61 of the cam plate permits lever 11 to rise radually and without shock toits former ull line'position, Fig. 5 as the roller 58 leaves said lever. Finally, when'the parts are practically in full open press position the gaps 65 in the emergency switch 68 come oppositethe contacts 66, 67 and. momentari y open the emergency switch 68 which is in the same circuit with the .ressure limit switch 20 and the effect of which switch is the same as that of the pressure limitswitch, to wit,

to open the motor circuit and produce an application of the brake. However, the gaps 65 in the segments 63, 64 are made so short that the parts will coast over said gaps during the stopping operation and all parts will come to rest with the contacts 66, 67 on the segments 63, 64 and practically in original full open position, ready for another power pressure operation of normal kind.

In this press the movement of the pressing members to closed full pressure position is limited definitely by the adjustment of the spring 16 on the upper toggle member, which adjustment can be performed to produce any value of pressure in the spring and consequently to limit the pressure operation in accordance with the amount or value of pressure applied to the work, and that is true, regardless of the inherent thickness of the work itself. Theoretically, be the work onequarter or one-half inch in thickness the parts would stop when identically the same pressure had been applied to either kind of work. Also, the opening movement of the press is definitely limited by an open limit switch. Also, the motor operated parts under normal conditions move forwardly for the closing and pressure half cycle and reversely for the opening or. release cycle, but under emergency conditions or when an obstruction is encountered, they are not caused to inerely halt, as in prior presses of this character, but are caused to move immediately to the normal full open position, but nevertheless by rotation in the forward instead of in the reverse direction. Briefly stated, the operating mechanism from the motor to the head is of such character as to be disabled or rendered ineflective whenever an emergency condition arises, but under normal condltions to have full ability and effectiveness in the usual manner. The operator is therefore safeguarded under all conditions.

What I claim is:

1. A pressing machine, comprising a work support, a swinging head lever carrying a cooperating ressing'head, upper and lower toggle members connected to said head lever, operating means connected to the knuckle of said toggle members for straightening the same to close .the press, operating means connected to the lower toggle member for elevating the same to apply power pressure, and means whereby an obstruction to the normal straightening movement of said toggle members prevents effective transmission through said toggle members of the lifting efi'ect applied to the lower toggle member.

2. A pressing machine, comprising a work support, a swinging head lever carrying a cooperating pressing head, upper and lower toggle members connected to said head lever and arranged when straightened to be rigidly connected to each other and when broken to be effectively non-motion transmitting, and common power means connected both to the knuckle of said toggle members for closing the press and also to the lower toggle member for lifting the same to apply pressure.

3. A pressing machine, comprising a work support, a swinging head lever carrying a cooperating pressing head, upper and lower toggle members connected to said head. lever, a power driven shaft, a crank and rod connecting said shaft to the knuckle of said toggle members, and means connecting said shaft to the lower end of the lower toggle member for elevating the same to apply power pressure.

4. A pressing'machine, comprising a work support, a swinging head lever carrying a cooperating pressing head, upper and lower toggle members connected to said head lever, a power driven shaft, a crank and connecting rod connecting said shaft to the knuckle of said toggle members, and means connecting said shaft to the lower end of the lower toggle member for elevating the same to apply power pressure, said toggle members being provided with means whereby they are effectively non-motion transmitting in all positions other than when closed to the limit of the safe zone.

5. A pressing machine, comprising a work support, a swinging head lever provided with a cooperating pressing head, upper and lower toggle members connected to said head lever at their upper end and adapted for raising movement at their lower end, one of said to gle members being longitudinally compressible, means arranged to prevent compression of such toggle member when 'the toggle members are substantially straghtened, and means for raising the lower toggle member when said toggle members are itrtightened for applying pressure to the 6. A pressing machine, comprising a work support, a swinging head lever provided with a cooperating pressing head, upper and lower toggle member's connected to said head lever at their upper end and adapted for raising movement at their lower end, the lower toggle member being longitudinally compressible, means for raising the lower toggle member when said toggle mem;' bers are straightened for applying pressure to the bed, means connected to the knuckle of said toggle members for straightening the same, said toggle members being provided with means. arranged in straightened position thereof to prevent longitudinal collapse .of the lower toggle member, and power pressure means connected to the lower toggle member.

7. A pressing machine, comprising a work support, a swinging head lever carrying a cooplerating pressing head, power operating mec anism connected to said swinging lever for closing the press, applying power pres sure and for opening the press, said operatingvmeans including a member normally rotating forwardly to close the press and to apply pressure and reversely to open the press, means adapted when closing movement of the press is obstructed to prevent said operating mechanism from reaching operative condition, and means arranged when such obstruction occurs to contlnue the motion of said rotating member in the same direction to restore the parts to normal position. y

8. A pressing machine, comprising a work support, a swinging headlever carrying a cooperating pressing head, an upper toggle member connected to said swinging lever at its upper end and at its lower end carrying a knuckle block, press closing mechanism connected to said knuckle block, a lower toggle rod having sliding movement in said knuckle block, power ressure means connected to said rod, yiel ing means resistin sliding movement of said rod in said knucfile block, and means arranged when said toggle members are straightened-to rigidly connect said rod and knuckle block.

9. A pressing machine, comprising a work support, a swinging head lever carrying a cooperating pressing head, upper and lower toggle members connected to said head lever, a rotating shaft provided with two cranks, a connecting rod extendin from one of said cranks to the knuckle 0% said toggle members, and a two-armed lever so located that one arm is in the ath of movement 'of and is operated by sai second crank and having its other arm connected to operate said lower toggle member.

10. A pressing machine, comprising a work support, a swinging head lever carrying a cooperating pressing head, upper and lower toggle members, a pivoted lever supporting the lower toggle member and having a cam portion, a rotating shaft having a cam cooperating with said cam portion, and an operative connection between said shaft and the knuckle of said toggle members.

' 11. A pressing machine, comprising a work support, a swinging head lever carrying a cooperating pressing head, upper and lower toggle members connected to said head lever, a rotating shaft provided with two cranks, a connecting rod extending from one of said cranks to the knuckle of said toggle members, a two-armed lever so located that one arm is in the path of movement of and is o erated by said second crank and having its other arm connected to operate said lower toggle member, and

means whereby said toggle members are effectively non-motion transmitting in all positions except when substantially straightene 12. A pressing machine, comprising a work support, a swinging head lever carrying a coo eratin press head, upper and lower togg e mem ers, a pivoted lever supporting the lower toggle member and having a cam portion, a rotatin shaft having a cam cooperating with sai cam ortion, an operative connection between said shaft and the knuckle of said toggle members, and means whereby said toggle members are effectively non-motion transmittin in all positions except when substantlally straightened. 1

13. A pressing machine, comprising a work support, a swinging head lever carrying a cooperating pressing head, upper and lower toggle members connected to said head lever, o eratin means connected to the knuckle of t e togg e members for straightening the same to close the press, and operating means connected to the lower end of the lower to gle member for elevating the same'to app y power pressure, said toggle members including means whereby an obstruction to the normal straightening movement of said toggle members revents efiective transmission through said toggle members of the lifting efi'ect applied to the lower toggle member.

14. A pressing machine, comprising a work su port, a pressing head movable toward an from the same, main tog le members connected to the pressing hear? and arranged when straightened to move the same toward the bed, a power operating device, and a direct connection from said device to the knuckle of said toggle members for closing the same and also to the lower toggle member for elevating the same to ap-.

ply ower pressure to the upper pressing member when the press is closed. In testimony whereof I hereby aflix my signature. I

- GEORGE w. JOHNSON.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION;

Patent No. 1,683,897. GrantedSeptember 11, 1928, to

GEORGEVW, JOHNSON,

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction "as follows: Page-2, line 95, after the word "coil" insert the number "70"; same page, line 124, strike out the word "to" second occurrence; page 3, line 109, for the word "valve" read "value"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same (seal may conform to the record of the case in the vPatent Office.

Signed and sealed this ,6th day of November, A. D. 1928.

M. Moore, Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

